Rock Tumbling Instructions

 

The key in achieving highly polished and smoothly shaped rocks is allowing time for the process to work and not shorting the times it takes to achieve this. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to finish a batch. The following procedure is a guideline to start with and times can be modified depending on hardness of the stones and the polish that you want.

 

1st Step
1. Fill barrel ¾ full of rock; add 60/90 grit and fill with water little less than level of rock.
2. Let tumble for 7 - 10 days.
3. Wash stones thoroughly.
4. Repeat if desired for rounder stones.
2nd Step
1. Refill barrel with rock, add 120/220 grit and fill with water little less than level of rock.
2. Let tumble for one week.
3. Wash stones thoroughly.
3rd Step
1. Refill barrel with rock, add 500/F grit and fill with water little less than level of rock.
2. Let tumble for one week.
3. Wash stones thoroughly.
4th Step
1. Refill barrel with rock, add Tripoli prepolish, add Dawn soap, and fill with water little less than level of rock.
2. Let tumble for 5 - 7 days.
3. Here you can either continue with instructions or skip washing and just add Moore Shine, a little soap and water and continue till finished.
4. Wash stones thoroughly.
5th Step
1. Refill barrel with rock, add Moore Shine, add Dawn soap, and fill with water little less than level of rock.
2. Let tumble for 5 - 7 days.
3. Wash stones and you are finished.


In the Prepolish & Polishing Steps
Use 1/3 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of detergent & 1 tablespoon of prepolish or polish for each pound of rock. Check after running your tumbler for a few minutes. If you have soap foam, remove some of the water, and add a little soap. Make sure that the rocks have a creamy coating.

 

                                            3 Pound Tumbler                             12 Pound Tumbler
Coarse: 60/90            4 Tablespoons (4 oz by weight)       12- 16 Tablespoons (1 lb by weight)
Medium: 120/220       4 Tablespoons (4 oz by weight)       12- 16 Tablespoons (1 lb by weight)
Fine: 500/F                4 Tablespoons (4 oz by weight)       12- 16 Tablespoons (1 lb by weight)
Detergent: Dawn                    3 Tablespoons                              12 Tablespoons
Prepolish: Tripoli         3 Tablespoons (2 oz by weight)       12 Tablespoons (1/2 lb by weight)
Polish: Moore Shine     3 Tablespoons (2 oz by weight)       12 Tablespoons (1/2 lb by weight)